Gustave spies on his mother and Mr. Y as they say goodnight.

The young Vicomte also gets into a bit of trouble.

I've been looking forward to this chapter.


Chapter Seven

Sing

Earlier...

Gustave found the largest office with the mirror slightly open along with the secret staircase.

At first, Gustave was surprised. That was not the way he remembered going down to Mr. Y's realm when Gangle, Fleck and Squelch brought him to meet Mr. Y.

"Come along and follow us," Doctor Gangle began.

"Come and follow faster," Gustave remembered her looking up at him.

"Come along and follow us," Squelch chimed in.

"Come and meet the master..." They sang together.

Had it really only been two years?

Gustave supposed it had. He also figured it wasn't crazy to think Mr. Y's realm had more than one entrance.

Gustave found Mr. Y's realm with the beautiful piano and all his amazing artworks. It was messier than he recalled. He was also very tempted to study the sheet music, but was held back his hand. He was determined to find answers and then he needed to leave before he was discovered.

There was a door at the other end of the realm and light shining through the bottom threshold of the door.

Now hunched over, Gustave tried peeking through the keyhole. He couldn't see anything.

Then he crouched over and tried looking underneath the doorway. That was a little better. Gustave still couldn't see much. He could see some light and shadows from what had to be people moving and pacing around. As far as he could tell, nothing was going on.

Nor did Gusave hear much. He did hear muffled voices, but it wasn't loud enough to make out any words. The door was too thick.

He had no idea how long he knelt there, but it must have been awhile because his knees were growing sore and his pajama pants were probably filthy.

Then there was silence.

Then talking, which started growing louder. Along with the footsteps.

Gustave quietly gasped as he slid off to the side.

The door swung open.

The talking had turned into laughter.

The wooden door stopped mere inches from his face.

Gustave silently breathed in relief. He moved a few inches over to make sure he was not discovered.

"...must go," He heard his mother protest with a giggle.

Gustave knew he should not move, but his curiosity got the better of him and he slowly peaked out from behind the door.

His mother was fastening her coat and already on her hat on. She looked so different. She seemed so...young. Happy like she used to be, grinning from ear to ear.

Gustave couldn't help but smile, he had not seen her so happy in a long time. Not since before the divorce. Before crossing the Atlantic. Before Father had lost so much money gambling. Before then even. Anymore, he would only see glimpses of her old self when she was holding his sister.

Christine stared up at the large clocks. "Darling," She tried, but failed to suppress a yawn. "It's late, I have to get Gustave up in a few hours." It was nearly three in the morning.

While Gustave couldn't see him, he knew Mr. Y was on the other side of the door. He just hoped Mr. Y didn't decide to close the door.

Mr. Y took a few steps forward. He was wearing a long black coat and top hat. "Just once, my angel of music, " Mr. Y insisted as stepped forward. "Sing once again with me," He sang. His voice was deep and powerful. "Our strange duet."

"Darling," His mother tried to protest as Mr. Y moved in closer. She was trying not to grin.

He purred, "Sing." A smile crept across his lips.

Christine began to sing a soft note, which slowly began to grow.

"Sing," He held up a hand.

The note grew higher.

"Sing for me." Mr. Y commanded in a gentle, but firm way.

Mr. Y wrapped an arm around her shoulder, "Sing for us!"

The note began to lower and die down.

Eyes closed, Mr. Y began to sing, "Lost in the music once more."

"Feeling it rise up and soar," They sang together. Staring into each other's eyes.

There was no kiss, yet the moment was so undeniably intimate Gustave knew the rumors were true.

"Ah, Christine," Erik ran his fingers through her hair. "Brava, brava."

Christine reached for his hand.

He kissed her hand and led her up the stairs.

Mind reeling, Gustave waited for a few moments. He slowly crept up the stairs, into the office, and back in the hallway.


Moments later...

Heart pounding, Gustave quietly unlocked and opened the door.

From there, he saw a pair of silhouetted figures walking arm in arm outside the gate.

Gustave quietly shut the door, but he went no further. He crept by the admissions' box, Gustave saw his mother say something to Mr. Y, but he couldn't make out what she was saying.

Mr. Y nodded in response, but did not speak. He flex his fingers and something appeared in his hand.

A single rose.

Gustave couldn't tell what color, but guessed it was red. Just like all the others at home. He always wondered where they all came from. They had a small rose bush in the garden at home, but it wouldn't produce anything else until spring.

His mother smiled as she accepted the gift.

Mr. Y finally spoke, slowly snaking his arms around her waist.

His Mother grinned again as she caressed his face.

Their noses met followed by their lips.

Gustave already understood that rumors were true, but still seeing such a thing was shocking and... He didn't know what else to think. Shocking, maybe because it was so...different. It so different than the ones he had seen his father give his mother. They were usually so polite and artful.

The kiss ended and the pair then walked over to his mother's buggy.

The horse, Midsummer neighed.

They both petted her as they spoke.

Mr. Y helped his mother into the buggy then untied Midsummer.

They said their goodnights, Mr. Y backed away and watched as the buggy drove away.

Then Mr. Y turned around to close the door to Phantasma. He pulled a large ring of keys out of his coat and turned the locked the small gate.

Gustave gasped.

What?

He locked it! Why did he lock it? Didn't Mr. Y live here at Phantasma? Wasn't that his realm and home down below?

Feet away, Mr. Y seemed to pause for a moment.

Holding his hands over his mouth, Gustave took a step back as he quieted down. He prayed Mr. Y had not heard him.

Looking almost like a predator, Mr. Y looked around as he marched away into the darkness.

Gustave rose up and looked around.

Mr. Y vanished, but where?

Gustave looked around. Again, he did not see Mr. Y or anyone.

Gustave looked left and right. Where did he go?

Oh, Gustave didn't care. Right now, he needed to get out of here, but how?

Gustave ran to the gate. He tried to push and shove and push some more.

Bang!

Clang!

Gustave backed away.

He walked from side to side. To see if there any spots he could squeeze through.

It was no use. The gate would not budge and he could not get through. He looked around, up and down. It was impossible to climb up and over.

Gustave began to panic. Angrily, he banged his hands against the bars. He looked left and right. Now what would he do? Phantasma did not open until 10 in the morning. Would he be stuck here until then?

What about Daisy? It was too dark. The tree he had tied to her was too far away. Gustave couldn't see her. He hoped she would be alright out there all alone.

Gustave paced around the gate. Thinking about what his next move would be.

He supposed there might be a telephone in the office. He could call someone for help. Maybe Charlie? However after what he had just witnessed, he certainly did not feel like talking to anyone in any case. Even a quiet man like Charlie would wonder what on earth he was doing here. He would surely tell his Mother. Besides no one was up at this time anyway. With the gate locked, what could they do for him anyway?

Gustave turned as he ran his hands over his hair. Trying to hold his tears in.

No.

No, he wasn't going to cry. No, he was going to figure this out.

Gustave stood there a little awhile and thought.

Then Gustave looked up, he estimated the fence had to be at least twelve feet high. He knew the workers had rope and ladders. With luck, maybe they left some lying around somewhere. He turned to go and search, but he found a man standing right behind him.

Mr. Y.

Gustave gasped and stumbled backwards.

Mr. Y reached out, grabbed his forearm, and steadied him before he landed on his backside. When Gustave regained his footing, Mr. Y released him and stepped back, watching him warily.

"Young Vicomte," Mr. Y said quietly.

His voice was stern, but it was gentler than Gustave was expecting.

Mr. Y looked around. As if he was looking for something or someone. Then his eyes shifted back to Gustave.

Mr. Y swept his arm to the side, motioning at the nearby horses tied outside the fence. One of them was Daisy. The poor thing, she looked frightened. Then there was another horse. A large, beautiful, black stallion. "Allow me to escort you home."

Gustave's eyes widened. He could not imagine a worse punishment than being escorted home by Mr. Y. He swallowed hard as it took a moment for him to find his voice. "I...uh, no thank you. I'm fine." Gustave shook his head as he tried to slip away, but Mr. Y slid a gloved hand over his shoulder.

"It wasn't a request," Mr. Y said firmly and Gustave knew he had no choice.


Meanwhile...

A shadow then watched as Mr. Y and the boy climbed up on a black stallion.

How peculiar.

The shadow then watched the two figures and horses trotted away in the middle of the night.


Shortly...

By the time they were halfway home, Gustave had given up any idea of trying to escape.

So Gustave continued to hold onto the large, black horse's mane tightly. He looked over his shoulder at Mr. Y who sat behind him. Then down at Daisy, at least she was calm.

Still, Gustave was irritated. "I'm a capable rider." He already brought up the subject twice now. He did not understand why Mr. Y would not at the very least let him ride Daisy home.

"No," Mr. Y said sternly behind him. "You're not leaving my side." His gloved right hand resting on Gustave's shoulder. The left holding onto the reigns of Daisy and his own horse.

Gustave scowled.

He guessed Mr. Y was afraid he might try and make a break for it. He understood that, but he saw no reason why he couldn't ride Daisy. They each would have been more comfortable on their own horses. Yes, they both managed to fit on Mr. Y's large saddle, but barely. Nor was it comfortable.

Gustave could also feel Mr. Y's eyes on him. He acted like he wanted to say something. Finally, he did, "I'm...very disappointed in you."

He tone surprised Gustave. He sounded genuinely concerned and upset.

Why? Why did he care so much?

"Your mother will be worried sick."

Anger flashed across Gustave's face.

His mother?

She and Mr. Y were the ones who were sneaking around late at night. Gustave knew it was hardly the first time and he did not like it at all.

Then absolute dread filled Gustave. He had been too cross and preoccupied with trying to escape to think about his mother. Now she would know. Unless he could convinced Mr. Y otherwise. Could he? "You're..." A horrified look crossed Gustave's face, "You're not going to tell her, are you?" Dare he hope that Mr. Y would just drop him off outside the front door and they never speak of this again? "I'll never do it again and I'll even pay you from now on." He would even pay Mr. Y back for all the times he let him in for fear. Somehow... he needed to think on this some more.

"Hmph," Mr. Y's did not answer with words, but his tone clearly said of course, I will.

Gustave supposed it had been foolish to hope otherwise. "...so dead." He mumbled under his breathe.

"You will live." Mr. Y sounded almost amused.

Gustave's eyes simmered.

"At least you have a mother who cares if you sneak out. Not all of us were that fortunate." Mr. Y said bittersweetly.

That puzzled and intrigued Gustave. More new questions entered his mind. Mr. Y had a mother? He supposed obviously he must've at some point. He could not help but wonder what she was like. Was she like Mr. Y? Or maybe he never knew her. Maybe she had died or they didn't get along. Maybe it had something to do with his face.

Gustave guessed it may have been the latter. He imagined a lot of people didn't like and judged Mr. Y because of his face.

Like me. Gustave thought as looked down, feeling bad. "I'm sorry about two years ago when I screamed in your face."

Mr. Y remained silent for several moments. Like he did not know how to respond. "...never should have showed you." Mr. Y said under his breathe. "I never should have brought you there in the first place."

Gustave opened his mouth, but did not know how to respond. More questions filled his mind as they began going up a familiar drive.


Shortly...

After putting Midsummer up for the night, Christine hung up her coat and put her gloves away. She put her single rose in the vase, along with the dozens of others.

Christine looked up at the ceiling, she hoped the children were asleep. She wondered if she should let them be or peak in their rooms and check on them.

Christine decided would check on them. Then she really needed to go to bed and try to get a few hours of sleep. Assuming she would sleep at all. Christine hoped Erik would change his mind and soon.

She was about half way up the stairs when there was a knock at the front door.

Knock! Knock!

Christine looked over to the grand clock. It was half past three in the morning.

Strange.

Who could that be?

Knock! Knock!

There was another knock on the door. This one was louder and more persistent.

Christine's eyes narrowed in suspicion.

The door to the house opened and Christine's eyes went wide and accusing. She glared at Erik.

His half-masked face expressionless.

Christine could not believe this.

Yes, Erik had snuck into the house late at night many times before, but not recently. Certainly not in this manner. Coming up the front drive and knocking on the front door in the middle of the night? What was he doing? Was he mad? Christine doubted anyone had seen him this time of night, but what if someone saw? There was already enough gossip. What was Erik thinking? That she would invite him upstairs and into her bed? She scowled. She was in no mood. He had always been bold, but this was approaching insanity.

Erik craned his neck to his lower left. "You lost something," He said tightly, nudging a smaller figure forward.

Gustave.

Christine's mouth fell agape. Several different emotions washed over her. The emotions ranged from shock, anger, fear, embarrassment, and relief. Along with questions. Had he been following her? Nevermind that, what the hell was doing out of bed? Did he have any idea what could've happened to him? "Gustave? Gustave, w-what are you doing?" She demanded, grabbing her son's arm and pulled him inside the house.

Mr. Y's vision fixated on Christine, then Gustave, then back to Christine. He said nothing.

"Thank you," Christine said formally.

Mr. Y turned and left.

Christine shut the door. "Gustave," She groaned angrily and wearily. There were so many things she wanted to say and ask. "Gustave, what were you—"

Gustave turned and glared up at his mother. He wore an expression she had never seen before. "Is he my father?" He demanded in a whisper.

Christine looked at her son and was uncharacteristically at a complete loss for words. She had long known this confrontation was not only possible, but probable. However, she still found herself woefully unprepared. Despite Erik's earlier warnings, Christine somehow did not believe that Gustave would react with such anger and betrayal. She sighed, "Raoul de Chagny is your father. One of his letters arrived earlier today. It's sitting on the dining table." Christine headed for the stairs.

As she climbed up the staircase, a dozen different thoughts and worries swirled around inside her head. What should she do?

Christine needed to tell him, but not at three in the morning.

Gustave chased after her, "That's not what I—"

"I know what you mean," Christine quietly cut in as she walked past the nursery. She was so tired. She could not do this right now. "Darling, it's late...you have school. We'll..we will discuss this...in the morning." She said tiredly. "Go to bed."

"It is morning." Gustave pointed out. "I want the truth!" He demanded as he raised his voice.

Christine stopped. In that moment, she could help but recall the time Erik confronted her.

"How could think I wouldn't guess?

How could you think I wouldn't know?

Do you have something to confess?

I want the truth right now if so!"

Gustave impatiently waited on edge.

Christine looked like she was about to say something, but Isabel's cries cut her off.

Christine lowered her head. She just wanted to go to bed. Wearily looked back at her son. She also still furious that he had snuck out of the house. "Go. To. Bed." She said through clenched teeth. Without watching to see if Gustave heeded her orders, Christine went into the nursery.


Dun! Dun! Dun!

So close Gustave.

Trivia: I thought about having Erik and Christine kiss after they sang, but I didn't want Gustave to realize it was true just by a kiss. I felt that would be too cheesy and redundant.

The part where Gustave and Erik are riding home was added in last minute. I decided to give them a bit more dialogue.

We'll find out who was watching them soon.

Please leave a review.